The 13 Best Tuscany Beaches
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1. Cala Violina
Assianir Great for:- Swimming
- Surfing
Backed by the hilly pine grove and lush vegetation of the protected Bandite di Scarlino Nature Reserve (Riserva Naturale delle Bandite di Scarlino) the beach at Cala Violina is completely pristine. This good-sized crescent of soft white sands looks out over the crystal clear waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. A nature lover's paradise, this beach is not only among the top-rated in Tuscany, but has been voted the best in all Italy.
In… read more »
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2. Forno Beach // Elba
© Luciano Mortula Great for:- Snorkeling
- Swimming
The third and smallest of three beaches in Biodola Bay, Forno beach is also the best. Set in a picturesque little cove surrounded by forested hillsides and overlooked by fine villas this little beach also manages to escape the worst of the summer crowds.
The beach here is fine golden sand and the warm Mediterranean water crystal clear, but what gives the cove its particular charm is the way the… read more »
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3. Torre Mozza
Mamertino81 Great for:- Snorkeling
- Swimming
- Kitesurfing
The Spiaggia di Torre Mozza gets its name from the 16th-century tower that juts into the Tyrrhenian Sea in the middle of this long sandy stretch. Originally part of the coastal defences the tower was more recently a restaurant and now a hotel.
Torre Mozza beach lies within the natural landscape of the Parco Costiera Sterpai. The park forms a natural backdrop of scrub and dunes to either side of the tower.
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4. Spiaggia di Fetovaia // Elba
© DanieleFiaschi Great for:- Swimming
Perhaps the most photographed beach on the island of Elba, and it's easy to see why. Besides the near white sand and incredibly clear blue water the beach is protected by the 800 metre headland of Punta di Fetovaia. This granite finger of rock, covered in lush Mediterranean vegetation points out into the Tyrrhenian Sea forming a long, narrow and sheltered bay.
The beach is also sheltered to the north by… read more »
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5. Le Cannelle
Richard Grant Great for:- Snorkeling
- Swimming
The Spiaggia delle Cannelle lies on the eastern coast of the little Tuscan island of Giglio. Backed by steep Mediterranean slopes this beach of fine white sand is caressed by crystal clear water which ranges from bright blues to emerald.
Despite its remote location off the coast of Tuscany, Le Cannelle always draws a crowd in the summer. You will generally find a mix of day-trippers from the mainland and others who… read more »
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6. Spiaggia del Quercetano
finn@interstil.no Great for:- Snorkeling
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Surfing
Quercetano Bay is set in the little seaside town of Castiglioncello, not far down the Tuscan coast from Livorno. This pretty spot was put on the map by the cult classic 1960s film, Il Sorpasso (The Easy Life). With its diminutive castle, pine forest and laid-back charm it's not hard to see why Castiglioncello continues to draw a crowd.
The coastline here is one of rocky outcrops and steep, green cliffs punctuated by… read more »
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7. Capo Sant'Andrea Beach // Elba
Carlo Pelagalli Great for:- Snorkeling
- Swimming
Capo Sant'Andrea Beach, or Spiaggia di Sant'Andrea, is technically an urban beach, since it lies on the western edges of Elba's town of Sant'Andrea. However, this small sandy beach with occasional rocky outcrops isn't most people's idea of a town-side shoreline.
Situated on the island's north coast, Capo Sant'Andrea Beach is approximately 150 metres long by ten metres wide at its largest extent. Formed from granite sand which is naturally a… read more »
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8. Acquarilli Naturist Beach // Elba
© bill_17 Great for:- Snorkeling
- Swimming
Set in a horseshoe shaped bay on the southern coast of Elba, Acquarilli is a charming little beach that, unlike its neighbours, never attracts a crowd. Spiaggia di Acquarilli is located between the popular beaches of Lido di Capoliveri and Lacona, which are probably the best-known on the island. The reason this little cove remains quiet is that access is a little tricky.
If you are not fortunate enough to be able… read more »
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9. La Feniglia
trolvag Great for:- Swimming
- Kitesurfing
The Spiaggia della Feniglia, or just La Feniglia is a vast expanse of sandy beach which connects the promontory of Argentario to the Tuscan mainland. With 7 kilometres of sand arcing its way along the bay it isn't difficult to find a quiet spot, although it does tend to be quite busy at either end of the beach.
If you do make it to the middle you will be rewarded with a pristine… read more »
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10. Spiaggia della Paolina // Elba
© DanieleFiaschi Great for:- Snorkeling
- Swimming
Spiaggia della Paolina lies just off the coastal highway in a large bay on Elba's northern coast. Apparently named after Napoleon Bonaparte's sister (the French emperor was exiled on the island in May 1814), Spiaggia della Paolina is a mix of sand and small pebbles reached by following a well-used path through coastal woodland.
Approximately six metres wide, enough for a row of hireable sun loungers with umbrellas, Spiaggia della Paolina… read more »
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11. Cala del Gesso
Gianfranco Vitolo Great for:- Snorkeling
- Swimming
Cala del Gesso, or Gesso's Cliff, is the name given to a 200 metre long pebble beach located on the Monte Argentario peninsula. A small cove-like beach with clear shallow waters filled with fish, Cala del Gesso is surrounded by a typical Tuscan scene of pale stone covered in a carpet of dark green foliage.
The beach can be reached by road followed by a 700 metre stroll along a paved… read more »
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12. Spiaggia Sansone // Elba
Jean-François Renaud Great for:read more »- Snorkeling
- Swimming
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13. Spiaggia di Cavoli // Elba
Donald Great for:read more »- Swimming
